Westerwinkel Castle, Water castle in Ascheberg, Germany
Westerwinkel Castle is a moated castle in Ascheberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, made up of four wings arranged around a central courtyard and surrounded by several water channels. The castle sits within a large park that also includes a golf course.
A fortified structure was first built on this site in the early 13th century. It was later redesigned in the 17th century and given its current Baroque form, along with stronger water defenses.
Westerwinkel is a good example of the way Westphalian noble families built their homes, with four wings closing off a central courtyard. The water channels surrounding the structure are still clearly visible and give the place a strong sense of enclosure.
The grounds are not open every day, so it is worth checking visiting hours before making the trip. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, as there is a fair amount of walking between the parking area and the entrance and around the park.
Although the building was fully redesigned in the 17th century, some medieval sections of wall can still be seen in parts of the structure. The golf course on the grounds is one of the few in Germany to operate directly alongside a historic fortified castle.
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